Free Security Guard Practice Test

Studying for the Security Guard exam? Take a free security guard practice test below to test your knowledge! Record your answers as you go and check out the answer explanations when you’re finished.

1. Which of the following types of weapons of mass destruction is known to have trigger methods that can be chemical, electronic, or mechanical?

A. Nuclear
B. Chemical
C. Incendiary
D. Biological

2. What conditions must be present before a suspect can be arrested for a felony?

A. The felony must have been committed and there must be reasonable cause that the suspect actually committed the crime
B. The felony must have been witnessed by the individual making the arrest and there must be evidence to support the arrest
C. The felony must have been committed or attempted and there must be reasonable cause that the suspect actually committed the crime
D. The felony must have been attempted and it must have been witnessed by another individual

3. Which of the following best represents a security guard’s authority to question an individual on his or her employer’s private property?

A. The security guard has the same rights as a private citizen when it comes to questioning others
B. The security guard’s right to question an individual is equivalent to that of a peace officer’s right
C. The security guard is not authorized to question an individual on his or her employer’s property
D. The security guard has the same right as his or her employer and more rights than that of a private citizen

4. When is a security guard required to make an arrest?

A. A security guard is required to make an arrest when he or she witnesses an individual killing another individual
B. A security guard is required to make an arrest when he or she witnesses an individual stealing merchandise
C. A security guard is never required to make an arrest
D. A security guard is required to make an arrest any time he or she witnesses a violation occurring

5. Which of the following statements is true in regards to searching a suspect as a security guard?

A. Suspects do not have rights in regards to being searched
B. Searching a suspect should be avoided
C. Searches are performed to find evidence
D. A search should be conducted before the suspect is placed under arrest

6. Which of the following is not one of the six facts that need to be included in a report?

A. What
B. Names of witnesses
C. How
D. Why

7. In order for a security guard to prevent offenses from occurring, he or she should be:

8. You are the only security guard on duty and your assignment is to patrol the warehouse every night between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM At 2:30 AM you witness three men coming into the back of the warehouse with firearms. What should you do?

A. You should apprehend the three men and call the police
B. You should immediately call the police and continue observing the men
C. You should go out the front door in order to save yourself from being seen
D. You should question the men and ask them why they are entering the building

9. Smoking on public transportation and speeding are examples of which arrestable offense?

A. Misdemeanors
B. Malfeasances
C. Felonies
D. Infractions

10. Battery is the use of unlawful force upon another individual and is punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Which of the following represents the maximum fine and term for individuals who are found guilty of battery?

11. A registered employee, a private patrol operator, or an alarm company operator may not carry a:

A. Knife
B. Stimulated firearm
C. Firearm
D. Baton

12. Mustard, cyanide, and chlorine are examples of which of the following weapons of mass destruction?

A. Nuclear
B. Explosive
C. Incendiary
D. Chemical

13. Which type of mass destruction weapon creates fire and is easily made from home-made materials?

A. Explosive
B. Incendiary
C. Chemical
D. Biological

14. What is the reactionary distance that a security guard should keep between his or her adversary?

A. 8 to 10 feet
B. 4 to 6 feet
C. 2 to 4 feet
D. 6 to 8 feet

15. Which of the following offenses is only punishable by a modest monetary fine?

A. Assault
B. Misdemeanor
C. Infraction
D. Felony

Answers and Explanations

1. C

Incendiary weapons are known to have trigger methods that can be chemical, electronic, or mechanical. Incendiary weapons are also known to have delivery methods that can be stationary, hand-thrown, or self-propelled. The advantages for terrorists to use incendiary weapons are: (1) they are easy to make from home-made materials; (2) they ignite about 75% of the time; (3) they produce fire which is very frightening. The disadvantages for terrorists to use incendiary weapons are: (1) the victims know how to deal with fire and (2) more property may be destroyed than lives.

2. A

The two conditions that must be present before an arrest can be made for a felony are: (1) the felony must have been committed; and (2) there must be reasonable cause that the suspect actually committed the crime. In order to make an arrest for a misdemeanor, the security guard must have witnessed the attempted or committed crime.

3. D

A security guard has the same right as his or her employer, but more than a private citizen, when he or she needs to question an individual on the employer’s private property. If the individual does not answer the security guard’s questions, the security guard may ask him or her to leave. If the individual should refuse to leave the premises, then he or she is trespassing and the security guard may make a citizen’s arrest.

4. C

A security guard is never required to make an arrest. As a security guard, your first responsibility is to prevent an incident from occurring. However, if an incident does occur, you are only responsible for observing and reporting the incident.

5. B

The true statement in regards to conducting a search is: “Searching a suspect should be avoided.” Searches should be avoided because there are laws that protect the suspect’s rights in regards to being searched. Searches are only conducted to find weapons and a suspect should be placed under arrest before a search is performed.

6. D

“Why” is not one of the six facts that need to be in a report. The six facts include: who; what; where; when; how; and names of witnesses. A security guard should use the report to document the facts, not the conclusions.

7. A

In order for a security guard to prevent offenses from occurring, he or she should be highly visible. The security guard can discourage individuals from committing crimes by being visible, as individuals are less likely to commit crimes if they know that they are being watched. A security guard must be alert, listening, and watching in order to his or her job well.

8. B

When you are faced with armed individuals, you should “immediately call the police and continue observing the men.” As a security guard, when you cannot prevent an incident from occurring, the best thing you can do is to observe and report the incident to the police.

9. D

Smoking on public transportation and speeding are examples of infractions. Arson, burglary, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft, robbery, rape, manslaughter, and murder are all examples of felonies. Assault, battery, disturbing the peace, indecent exposure, littering, petty theft, trespassing, and vandalism are all examples of misdemeanors.

10. A

Individuals who are found guilty of committing battery could face up to a $2,000 fine and/or up to 6 months imprisonment. Individuals who are found guilty of assault could face up to a $1,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment. Individuals who are found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon could face up to a $10,000 fine and/or 1-year imprisonment.

11. B

A registered employee, a private patrol operator, or an alarm company operator may not carry a stimulated firearm. These security officers may carry a firearm as long as they are registered and have a firearms qualification card.

12. D

Mustard, cyanide, chlorine, and sarin are all examples of chemical weapons. The advantages for terrorists to use chemical weapons are: (1) they are cheap, easy to make, and available; (2) they have an immediate effect; and (3) they are great at creating fear. The disadvantages for terrorists to use chemical weapons are: (1) they need to have a lot to have a mass effect and (2) they are dangerous to produce and deploy.

13. B

An incendiary weapon creates fire and is easily made from home-made materials. Incendiary weapons are known to have trigger methods that can be chemical, electronic, or mechanical. Incendiary weapons are also known to have delivery methods that can be stationary, hand-thrown, or self-propelled.

14. D

A security guard should try to keep 6 to 8 feet between his or her adversary in order to have an appropriate amount of distance in order to react. This distance allows the security guard enough room to move toward, side-step, or simply move back from his or her attacker.

15. C

An infraction is only punishable by a modest monetary fine. A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine and/or a term in the county jail. A felony is punishable by a sentence of death, imprisonment in a jail or prison, and/or a fine.